RyothChatty ridiculous rating

Phonearl Good start, but then it gets ruined

Payno I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Allissa .Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

AndytheDirector There is a deleted scene on the DVD showing Shane MacGowan, the subject of this documentary, in a bar playing "Kitty", a love ballad from the first Pogues album. Out of the drunken stupor he has put himself into comes a glimmer of the genius this man once had. And then he finishes the song and returns to his drink.MacGowan was the founding member and many would argue the driving force behind an Irish Folk/Punk band in the 1980's called The Pogues. They released several albums that are considered master works before it all fell to pieces due to Shane's heavy drinking. The film follows MacGowan around London and across the strait to Ireland as he prepares for a concert with his new band, The Popes. Along the way we hear the story of one of the punk generation's greatest song writers, told through interviews with MacGowan's parents, his wife, former band mates, and MacGowan himself. We also see archive footage and music videos interspersed thoughout. The difference between the Shane making the music he is known and loved for and the Shane of today mumbling drunkenly through songs is striking and sad. Its a great film, and I highly reccomend it, escpecially to parents trying to teach their kids about the dangers of addiction.

gaffertape2002 One of the great singer-songwriters of our time, yet also an absolute trainwreck. I do think that this is a very important film, although its terribly sad to see how the years of alcohol abuse have taken a great toll on Shane. I normally discuss a film over pints of beer after seeing a film, but after this one - I couldn't.

Tiger_Mark What an excellent individual to do a documentary over. For those that are not familiar with Shane MacGowan, he is the former leader of the Pogues and current solo musician (along with his band the Popes). MacGowan is respected throughout the world as one of the greatest songwriters of all time. His ballads and energetic rock pieces are brilliant. His haunting voice is unforgettable. Of course, as this movie shows, all is not perfect with Shane. Shane is a hopeless alcoholic, in fact he was asked to leave the Pogues for that very reason. Moreover, his health and hygiene are not the best (to say the least). However, he continues to tour and make great music. Perhaps the alcohol is taking its toll on his body, but not his music. A hard living Irishman in the same vein of so many two-fisted Irish drinkers and poets. See and hear the legend of Shane.

Tony Hooten (odaat) I was so moved when I saw this film it brought me to tears. You see I am an alcoholic too, as is Shane. I saw this after having relapsed after seven years sobriety. I wept openly and still believe he is a genius inspite of his madness. Don't dwell on his interviews which he was incoherent. Listen to the words of the songs he has written and the way in which they were performed. You will see his genious too. In the mean time please pray for both of our recoveries.